Manipur CM Pushes for UNESCO Nomination of Lai Haraoba as Intangible Cultural Heritage
First Published: 16th January, 2025 10:16 IST
The aim is to nominate the ancient Meitei festival for UNESCO’s prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
In a significant step towards preserving and promoting Manipur’s rich cultural heritage, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh chaired a crucial meeting on Wednesday with the Committee for Preparing the Synopsis for recommending “Lai Haraoba” to the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. The aim is to nominate the ancient Meitei festival for UNESCO’s prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
The CM expressed gratitude to the committee for their dedicated efforts, emphasizing the importance of passing down the traditions of Lai Haraoba to future generations. “I commend the committee for their efforts and we will continue to work together to ensure that our traditions are passed down to future generations, keeping the spirit of Lai Haraoba alive,” CM Biren wrote on X.
The initiative reflects Manipur’s commitment to celebrating and safeguarding its traditional rituals and practices on a global platform.
What is Lai Haraoba?
Lai Haraoba is a traditional festival celebrated by the Meitei community of Manipur to honour and appease their ancestral deities, known as Umang Lai or forest deities.It reflects the community’s deep reverence for their spiritual and cultural heritage. Central to the festival are rituals performed by priests (Maibas) and priestesses (Maibis), who reenact the process of creation through sacred dances and chants. The Maibi Jagoi, or the dance of the priestesses, is a highlight, accompanied by traditional music played on instruments like the Pena. The festival lasts for several days and involves various rituals, storytelling, and community feasts. It serves as a vibrant expression of Meitei mythology, showcasing the harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. Different regions of Manipur celebrate variations of the festival, such as Kanglei Haraoba, Moirang Haraoba, and Chakpa Haraoba, depending on the specific deity being worshipped. Beyond its religious significance, Lai Haraoba is a cultural event that preserves and strengthens the Meitei identity and their connection to nature and spirituality.
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